Women in Chemical Technology

This month the Chemical Heritage Foundation launched a new series of interviews featuring women in chemistry and related sciences. Among the first interviews was June Wispelwey, AIChE's executive director.

Hear Sarah Widder, a research engineer at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), talk about her experiences in the profession and in the workplace.

Maria Maccecchini talks about her background in biochemistry and how mentors and encouragement have helped her as she built her career and founded a biotech firm.

In her audio interview, Lisa Houston shares the story of her career and how it began. She also explains how she realized she didn't need a PhD to enjoy an enriching and fulfilling career.

Nancy Jackson is the immediate past president of the American Chemical society and works with the U.S. Department of State at the Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico. Hear more about about how she sees women gaining power in the scientific community.

Paula Hammond is a chemical engineer and professor at MIT who has helped to develop various nanotechnologies that have benefit cancer research and the U.S. armed forces.

ChE Wendy Young Reed believes in pursuing passions. She advises: "“Follow your heart. Do something that you’re passionate about.” Hear more about how she's pursued her passions as a chemical engineer.

AIChE's Kristine Chin shares her path in the field of chemical engineering, including her experience starting out as a chemical engineer in an all-male lab.

In the face of harassment, Isabel Escobar learned the hard-earned lesson of standing up for herself.

Tiffany King has a great piece of advice for anyone looking to find success: have an end goal in mind.

Earning a degree is just the start, according to Chris Meda. Building a career takes a lot of meeting people, trying new things, and applying yourself. Hear her experiences and advice.

Meet Mary Ellen Ternes, a chemical engineer who now works as an environmental lawyer. Hear the story of her early days working as a chemical engineer in the field and the challenges she faced.

Nancy Chang left her home in Taiwan at age 19 and set off for America to study. With the decision to study biology, she took the first step in a long journey that led to a highly successful career in biotechnology.